How to Become a Pathology Assistant - A Quick Reference Guide to a Fascinating Career

Does the study of human body during autopsies intrigue you? If so, than have you ever considered starting a career as a Pathology Assistant?

Here's a quick reference guide to help you understand all you need to know to become one.

Duties and Responsibilities

A Pathology Assistant is a highly trained health professional who provides anatomic pathology services under the supervision and guidance of a pathologist. Some of his/her main responsibilities include:

• Dealing with families and law enforcement


• Preparing and analyzing human tissue surgical specimens


• Preparing postmortem examinations


• Preparing bodies for being released to the funeral homes


• Taking photographs and preparing autopsy reports


• Teaching various courses related to his field, such as human anatomy, physiology, histology, gross pathology, microscopic photography, etc


• Training newly qualified pathologists


• Performing a number of managerial and/or administrative duties, such as filing reports, managing budgets, coding and billing, supervising employees, etc


• Conducting on-site examinations for any specimens


• Maintaining lab equipment

Training:

In order to qualify for this job, you must first graduate with a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Although you also have the option to go for a Master's degree, a bachelor's will also suffice. Apart from these basic qualifications, you will also be expected to write a fellowship exam and seek internship or on-job training in order to become a certified Pathology Assistant.

Usually, most of those who choose this line of work are individuals who are already working in the healthcare field, and are trying to avail a second degree. Most of these people are initially trained as clinical lab technologist, autopsy technicians, histo-technologist or hospital corpsman.

Once you complete your training, you are required to join the American Association of Pathologists' Assistants as a student, an affiliate or a fellow.

Skills Required

Apart from obtaining the right education and training, you must also possess the following skills:

• Innovative thinking


• The ability to pay attention to details


• Excellent problem solving skills


• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)


• The ability to visualize complex procedures


• The ability to work under stress or for long hours

Job Outlook and Salary

Working as a Pathology Assistant, you can easily get a job within a community hospital, public or government hospital, reference laboratories, academic centers or even medical schools.

As far as the remuneration package is concerned, the average salary ranges from $60,000 to $90,000 a year, depending upon your qualification, experience and working conditions.

Moreover, with further education, you can also become a pathologist, a quality control technician, a senior supervisor or a technical medical writer.

Being a Pathology Assistant is definitely a promising career with a lot of potential growth; all it takes is some serious hard work and determination.